And the country is motoring despite not having a functioning government sincelate 2015.

So how come Spain is doing so well while countries like Italy and France are floundering? Here's an overview:

No government? No problem!

Gridlock in parliament means Spain has only a caretaker government. Voters face a third general election in quick succession later this year, but in the meantime the economy ismoving along quite nicely.

Economic reforms introduced by former prime minister Mariano Rajoy have helped the country bounce back from a serious recession. The changes made it easier for companies to hire and fire, and set wages.

Plus, government spending in many areas has continued unabated because no one has the authority to reign in it. That could mean trouble ahead as borrowing rises, but for now it's helping.

"Not only has the economy been on autopilot, but it's gotten a boost from the fact that fiscal policy is looser than it otherwise should have been," said Stephen Brown, a European economist at Capital Economics in London.

The influx of tourists has created more jobs. Unemployment recently dipped below 20% after peaking above 26% in 2013, and jobs in tourism have offered lower skilled workers a chance to find employment again.

Brown estimates that the jump in tourism added nearly one percentage point to Spanish growth.

Consumer comeback

Spanish consumers are also feeling more confident about their finances, meaning they're more likely to spend.

Rising employment certainly helps. And even though there's been limited wage growth, that's offset by falling oil prices, said Brown.